From 27 to 29 May 2025, a WCO national workshop on the AfCFTA Rules of Origin (RoO) was held in Pretoria, South Africa. Hosted by the South African Revenue Service (SARS) and funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) through the WCO/JICA Joint Project, the workshop brought together a diverse group of participants, including SARS Customs officials, representatives from other public institutions and private sector stakeholders.

The objective of the workshop was to raise awareness, deepen technical knowledge, promote inter-institutional dialogue, and strengthen the shared understanding required for the accurate and consistent application of the AfCFTA’s RoO provisions. By fostering collaboration between government agencies and the private sector, the workshop provided a platform for open exchange and practical problem-solving on real-world implementation challenges.

In his opening remarks, Mr. Beyers Theron, Director of Customs & Excise at SARS, thanked the WCO and JICA for supporting the workshop. He emphasized the pivotal role that rules of origin play in establishing a transparent, equitable, and rules-based trade environment under the AfCFTA. He also underscored the importance of building stakeholder trust, embracing digital transformation and investing in continuous capacity building, all of which align with SARS’s strategic objectives.

Mr. Kaoru Okada, Chief Representative of JICA in South Africa, reaffirmed JICA’s strong commitment to Africa’s regional integration and trade facilitation. Since 2021, JICA has supported the training of master trainers in Rules of Origin, who have developed specialized training materials based on AfCFTA rules of origin. These experts are now playing a key role in national capacity-building and promoting the uniform application of RoO across the continent. Mr. Okada also commended the productive partnership with the WCO, which has led to significant advancements in Customs modernization, particularly in the areas of the Harmonized System, Customs Valuation, Risk Management, and Rules of Origin.

Throughout the three-day workshop, participants engaged in technical sessions covering essential topics, including origin determination, certification procedures under Annex 2 of the AfCFTA Agreement, advance rulings, and verification processes. Practical case studies and interactive exercises provided valuable opportunities to strengthen their ability to interpret and apply RoO provisions effectively. SARS also shared insights from its experience in implementing the AfCFTA Rules of Origin, highlighting both the challenges faced and the opportunities identified through consignments processed under the agreement.

The private sector played a key role in the discussions, emphasizing the importance of diversifying markets beyond traditional regional groupings such as the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC). The AfCFTA, they noted, presents a unique opportunity for South African businesses to expand their footprint across the continent and boost their competitiveness.

Participants unanimously agreed that the successful implementation of the AfCFTA’s Rules of Origin will depend on sustained cooperation among national institutions and continuous engagement with the business community. The workshop underscored the need for clear, harmonized rules that support compliance, build trust, and ensure the broad and equitable distribution of the benefits of continental free trade.